Download Vegetable Leaves_UE

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Vegetable Leaves
Vegetables have distinct growth patterns and are easily recognized as they mature. Knowing how to
identify them will help keep the garden organized and prevent mishaps during weeding.
Time Frame
The time of year a crop is growing can be a clue to identifying it. Early crops are planted in late
March or early April in temperate zones and include leafy greens, such as kale, lettuce, spinach and
Swiss chard, and root vegetables, such as onions, carrots, beets and radishes. Additionally, peas are
planted at this time. In Florida, we plant these in the fall. June and July is the time to watch for
warm-season crops, such as melons, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. In Florida, we plant these in
spring and late summer.
Size
Leaf size and shape is another method of identifying a vegetable plant. All vegetables in the
cucurbit family have large, round leaves with deeply cut leaves. The leaves of cucumbers and
cantaloupe are 3 to 4 inches across, while pumpkin and squash leaves may be 6 to 10 inches wide.
Tomatoes, beans, peppers and eggplant have leaves that are 2 to 3 inches wide.
Below are squash, pepper, Brussels sprouts and carrot leaf shapes. Notice the difference?
Form
Fruit-forming vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, beans and eggplant, produce a central leader
stem, similar to a shrub, with lateral branches that form from the main stem. Root vegetables,
including carrots, potatoes, radishes and beets, produce a few main stems protruding from the soil
with lots of leafy growth. Onions and chives produce tall, spear-like leaves. Climbing vegetables,
such as pole beans and peas, are simple to identify because they have clinging vines with simple
leaves. Vegetables grown for greens produce a mass of leaves protruding from the soil. Most of
them don't produce stems.
Considerations
The leaves of newly emerging plants may look different than the mature leaves that unfold a few
days later, making identification difficult. Some young vegetable plants may resemble weeds. When
in doubt, gardeners should wait a few days before pulling an unknown plant. Know what you grow!